Sivasagar, July 2: Protests against the Centre's decision to privatise 12 small and marginal oil fields of Assam gained momentum today with the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad announcing a series of agitations.

The organisation's central committee member, Biswajit Tipomia, told reporters that they would hold a 12-hour strike at all the oil fields of Sivasagar on Monday.

"A two-hour national highway blockade will be conducted on July 5 and a rail roko on July 8," he added.

The organisation has threatened to continue its agitation if the Centre fails to reconsider the decision by July 8. Terming the decision as anti-Assam, AJYCP members appealed to everyone to oppose the Centre's move. It also urged the Centre to reconsider the decision for the sake of protecting the interest of the state.

The decision has already snowballed into a major political controversy with individuals, organisations and political parties opposing the move.

The decision to privatise 67 small and marginal oil fields in India, including 12 in Assam, was announced recently by Union minister of state for petroleum Dharmendra Pradhan.

The move has been opposed by the AGP and the BPF - the BJP's coalition partners in Assam - along with the Congress and the AIUDF. The AASU, KMSS and Tai Ahom Yuva Parishad (TAYP) are some of the organisations opposed to the move.

Heated debates and demonstrations against the move have been witnessed across the state.

The TAYP had observed a 12-hour strike on Tuesday.

Police had detained and lathicharged nearly 100 KMSS supporters in Guwahati on June 25, while they were organising a protest against the move. Led by KMSS leader and RTI activist Akhil Gogoi, the protesters were demanding exclusion of the 12 blocks in Assam and withdrawal of FDI in oil sector.

According to the petroleum ministry, there are resources worth Rs 17,000 crore in the 12 oil fields of Assam.

Assam contributes 10 per cent of total crude oil and natural gas produced in India. Only 44 per cent of the resources have been tapped, leaving an opportunity to establish and develop the remaining 56 per cent resource base. Oil has always remained an emotional issue in the state, with its roots in the Assam movement during 1979-85 when slogans like Tez dim tel nidiu (we give blood, not oil) stirring sentiments across the state. Any issue related to oil elicits strong reactions in Assam.